In real life a Duke couldn’t consider a woman for his wife if she wasn’t in the correct societal rank without throwing away his own livelihood and lands. That makes Sebastian different than other historical romance heroes giving the story more impact.

BUT because of the setting we get to see how his thoughts change about women’s rights as Annabelle is threatened through her actions while fight for them. Frigid Duke taking all of his responsibilities very seriously gets upended by a beautiful woman. Sebastian started off the novel as you would expect. The fact that Evie Dunmore chose this time for a romance gave it a more modern feel. I can only recall having read one other novel set during the women’s suffrage movement and as an independent woman myself (even though American), I’m very interested in how and when women’s rights were fought and granted In England. The intricate love story between Sebastian and Annabelle was revealed a piece at a time and was enthralling, don’t get me wrong, but it was the history of the time and how that impacted these two characters that held my attention. Bringing Down the Duke was an intricate love story, but also a historical eye opener.ĭespite the fluff that the word “Duke” brings to a historical romance title, this novel was anything but.

Can she hold him at arms length while still earning his backing of their movement? Can he convince her to become his without the promise of marriage? Evie Dunmore’s debut novel is atypical of other historical novels in that it dives into the politics of this time and the societal divide a lack of income and good background creates between a man and woman. Her beauty catches his eye and despite her fellowship with independent women he’s drawn to her. Her target? Sebastian Devereaux, Duke of Montgomery and political advisor to the queen. In return for her scholarship she must join the women’s suffrage movement and try to gain the backing of a man of influence.

Destitute daughter of a vicar, Annabelle Archer earns a place as one of the first female students at the illustrious University of Oxford.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore